Foodora leaving Canada and reopening Ontario amid COVID-19 – 640 Toronto

Foodora is closing operations in Canada in early May, citing profitability challenges. This comes not long after an Ontario Labour Relations Board ruling that cleared the way for couriers to unionize. Is Foodora’s decision to leave Canada illegal?

Premier Doug Ford will roll out plans to reopen Ontario in the coming weeks. Can employees returning to the office refuse to work if they don’t feel safe? What guidelines should the government put in place for businesses and employees during the coronavirus pandemic?

Stan Fainzilberg, a Toronto employment lawyer and Senior Associate at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, joined host Jeff McArthur on Global News Radio 640 Toronto to discuss.

• Has Foodora done anything illegal by closing operations in Canada shortly after its employees were allowed to unionize?

• Do Foodora workers have any legal recourse?

• Will the decision to allow Foodora couriers to unionize impact similar business models in Canada?

• Do employees have a right to refuse work if they feel the workplace they are returning to is not safe?

• What labour guidelines should be put in place for businesses once they reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic?